Ethiopia is actively engaging with key international partners to enhance its economic development and address regional challenges, as evidenced by recent high-level meetings with Saudi Arabia and Japan.
Foreign Minister Dr. Gedion Timothewos recently met with Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Waleed Abdulkarim El Khereiji, in Addis Ababa. Their discussions centered on strengthening the robust bilateral relations between the two nations, with a particular focus on expanding economic cooperation. Both sides explored various avenues to achieve this goal. Regarding regional stability, Dr. Gedion reiterated Ethiopia's neutral stance on the ongoing crisis in Sudan and its commitment to supporting efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution. Vice Minister El Khereiji affirmed Saudi Arabia's dedication to working with all concerned parties to bring an end to the situation in Sudan.
In a related development, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Mesganu Arga held discussions with his Saudi counterpart, further exploring ways to bolster economic ties, enhance joint efforts in combating human trafficking, and address other shared bilateral and regional concerns. Ambassador Mesganu took the opportunity to invite Saudi companies to invest in Ethiopia, emphasizing the attractive investment climate created by the country's ongoing macroeconomic reforms. Vice Minister El Khereiji expressed Saudi Arabia's commitment to partnering with Ethiopia in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and technology. Ambassador Mesganu also underscored Ethiopia's strong desire to collaborate closely with Riyadh to prevent human trafficking, highlighting its classification as a significant security threat by the Ethiopian government.
Furthermore, State Minister Ambassador Mesganu Arga also met with the Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ando NAOKI, in Addis Ababa. Ambassador Mesganu acknowledged JICA's crucial role as a development partner for Ethiopia, particularly in areas like capacity building, technology transfer, and the adoption of the Kaizen philosophy. He noted the symbolic importance of the Senior Vice President's visit. Expressing gratitude for JICA's support in the health, agriculture, and manufacturing sectors, Ambassador Mesganu also extended an invitation to Japanese companies to capitalize on the trade and investment opportunities arising from Ethiopia's macroeconomic reforms.
Senior Vice President Ando NAOKI expressed his admiration for Ethiopia's clear vision for economic development, driven by the ongoing macroeconomic reforms. He assured Ambassador Mesganu that JICA remains committed to working closely with the Government of Ethiopia across a multitude of sectors, further solidifying the strong development partnership between the two countries.